The future of the blueberry market

While most of the planted area is still concentrated in the Americas, the Asia-Pacific region is expanding fast. North America, the cradle of the blueberry industry, continues to be a major blueberry-growing region, but the patterns of global production are shifting, with South America expanding rapidly, and new growing regions also being developed in Europe, Africa and Asia.

According to Rabobank, global fresh blueberry exports are likely to expand steadily during the next few years, as growing regions continue to spread around the globe. This is pushing companies to be more productive and more efficient and to consistently provide high-quality fruit. 

“We expect global exports in 2025/26 to reach close to 900,000 tons, with over 70% coming from the top-five exporting countries: Peru, Chile, Canada, Mexico, and Spain/Morocco,” David Magaña, senior Analyst-Fresh Produce at Rabobank in North America.

The global blueberry export volume has grown at a compound annual growth rate of about 11% over the past decade. International shipments and availability have exploded, primarily as a result of the rising production of new players in the industry such as Peru, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa and China, who add to the existing supply from the US, Chile, Argentina and Europe. 

A shifting demand landscape

In terms of consumption, the US and Canada together still absorb the highest blueberry volume, but Europe is now the main source of demand growth. China is driving the blueberry consumption in Asia thanks to the growth of its local and imported supply.